Dream Vacations travel agency franchise launches 13^th annual “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (July 9, 2024) – Leading travel agency franchise Dream Vacations is recruiting military veterans to enlist in its 13^th annual, award-winning “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest and is accepting entries from now through Sept. 2, 2024. The number one franchise opportunity for veterans will be awarding three veterans a free franchise as part of the nationwide contest that since 2012, has given away 61 franchises valued at more than $700,000 dollars.

“At Dream Vacations, we’re deeply committed to supporting our veterans. We always aim to go the extra mile for our military heroes and their families,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations. “Through our annual Operation Vetrepreneur contest, we’re excited to help veterans achieve their dreams of owning a business and finding success for themselves and their families. This is our way of saying thank you and giving back to those who served our country with honor.”

The Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the six branches of the U.S. military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard) who are retired, off active duty and/or honorably discharged prior to the contest start date and are residents of the U.S. To participate, candidates must complete an online entry form and an introductory phone interview with a Franchise Development Manager. Candidates will be required to submit a candidate profile, business plan and video. Finalists will be invited to participate in follow-up phone interviews before the winners are selected. The entry form and all contest details can be found at www.operationvetrepreneur.com.

Three winners will be notified in September 2024. Each grand prize is valued at $12,300 and includes a complimentary Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $10,500 initial start-up fee and monthly administrative service fees for the first year. After completing Dream Vacations’ New Franchisee Training, the winners will be armed with all the tools and knowledge they need to begin their next journey as small business owners creating dream vacations.

“Melissa and I have always had an interest in the travel industry. The Dream Vacations Vetrepreneur contest seemed like an opportunity to make that a reality. We thought it was cool that a company would not only honor Veterans with their words, but that they would put their money where their mouth was in the form of a franchise,” said Ron Hargrove, United States Navy Veteran and one of the 2023 Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General winners from Genoa, Ill. “We were shocked to find out that we won, and even more surprised to discover that they would fly us to training and provide us with so many tools to succeed. We are now just a few months after officially launching our franchise, and we have exceeded our own expectations thanks to the training and support teams at Dream Vacations!”

According to the Department of Defense, more than 200,000 military veterans are entering the civilian workforce each day, and Dream Vacations recognizes that franchising provides a unique opportunity to leverage the traits gained in the military and translate them to entrepreneurship. This includes teamwork, decisive thinking, leadership and self-discipline to name a few. Those who have served in the Armed Forces also have an innate desire to serve others and see the world, which are important aspects of being a successful travel franchise owner.

Military veterans and Gold Star families interested in starting a work-from-home business immediately can purchase a Dream Vacations travel agency business now at a 30 percent discount, receive an enlistment package valued no less than $5,000 and will have their administrative fees waived which is valued at $1,800. In addition to having access to the Command Center, an internal portal with veteran-specific training and veteran-themed marketing assets, all veterans and Gold Star families receive a waived training fee for a business partner and the ability to hire active-duty military spouses and veterans as associates at a discount. Additional veteran incentives include the ability to move residences and stay in business, travel discounts for military customers and access to veteran networking groups.

The only travel franchise to receive a 5 STAR-ranking from the International Franchise Association’s VetFran initiative, Dream Vacations proudly supports military veterans and is consistently recognized by leading industry publications as a veteran-friendly franchise. Dream Vacations was named Entrepreneur magazine’s top franchise for veterans in 2021, and in the category, has ranked either first or second out of 150 franchises nationwide since 2017. Other recent number one rankings include Military Times and Forbes. In 2024, Dream Vacations was named the No. 1 travel agency franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for adapting and evolving when facing the unique challenges and changes that shaped the franchise industry over the last year. Additional recognitions include inclusion on G.I. Jobs annual “Hot Franchises for Veterans,” US Veterans magazine’s “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies”, USA Today’s “50 Top Franchises for Military Veterans” and recognition by MSC Cruises in its Seaside Salute Award. The “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” program won gold from the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards and the IFA Franchising Gives Back Awards.

Military veterans with a passion for travel and entrepreneurship who are interested in opening a Dream Vacations travel franchise and want to be considered as a candidate for the “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest, please visit www.OperationVetrepreneur.com or call 888-249-8235.

About Dream Vacations
Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information about Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Instagram at @official_dream_vacations and watch its videos at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

Begins July 5^th, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. ET and ends September 2^nd, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 or older at the start of the Contest, have a computer and internet connection, be a legal resident of the US or DC and a former member in good standing of one of the six branches of the U.S. military who is retired, off active duty and/or was honorably discharged prior to the start date of the Contest. If selected as winners, Contestants must commit to a 5-year  Dream Vacations home-based franchise, which requires attendance at a New Franchisee Training Class and a starting investment capital (for more information, go to www.dreamvacationsfranchise.com  or call 888-441-2542). Only one (1) submission per contestant. To enter, complete the online entry form on our website (www.operationvetrepreneur.com). If qualified and selected to move to the next round after a phone interview, Semi-Finalists must submit a video, Dream Vacations candidate profile, and a minimum 300 – 1,200-word business plan. Submissions must comply with the Submission Guidelines in the Official Rules. Only complete, valid submissions will be accepted. Sponsored by Dream Vacations, 1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd. Ste. 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. See [www.OperationVetrepreneur.com] for complete Rules and details. 

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For a limited time, travel agents can earn 50 percent additional commission on Greek Islands and Mediterranean day passes

Wakefield, Mass. (June 27, 2024) – Resort for a Day, the leading provider of resort day passes for cruise passengers, is excited to announce its expansion to the beautiful islands of Greece! The same company known for delivering the best day-in-port experiences in the Caribbean is now bringing its exceptional service to the Mediterranean.

“Our new resort options in Corfu, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini are truly breathtaking,” said Lynn Walters, director, Resort for a Day. “With features like infinity pools, beach access, waterparks, food and beverage options, and discounts on spa add-ons, we’re confident that our guests will have an unforgettable experience in the Greek Isles.”

Resort for a Day has been providing cruise customers with resort day pass shore excursion options since the launch of its program in 2013. A resort day pass can enhance the Mediterranean cruise experience and is a unique alternative travel agents can offer clients to enjoy during their time in port.

In addition to this exciting expansion, for a limited time, travel agents can earn 50 percent additional commission on Greek Islands and Mediterranean day passes. To take advantage of this offer, bookings must be made through the agent’s Resort for a Day affiliate link. Travel agents can sign in or sign up for their Resort for a Day profile at Resort for a Day Travel Agents.

Key Details:

• Bonus Commission Validity: New bookings made from July 1–July 31, 2024, for travel through December 31, 2024, based on availability.
• Destinations: Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Croatia.

Terms & Conditions: The 50 percent Bonus Commission offer is valid for new bookings made between 07/01/24 – 07/31/2024 for travel within 2024, based on availability. Offer valid on resort day passes in Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Croatia only. Standard commission applies to all other destinations. Commissions are paid out after travel on a monthly basis. This offer may not be combinable with other offers. All offers are subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply; please contact our support team for full details at 800-887-6620 or info@resortforaday.com. 

About Resort for a Day
Resort for a Day is the largest distributor of resort day passes giving cruise customers the unique opportunity to spend their day at some of the best resorts; all conveniently located in more than 29 of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera and now the Mediterranean too! Resort for a Day works with travel agents and agencies nationwide, offering commission on all Resort for a Day passes. Resort for a Day is part of World Travel Holdings in Massachusetts and offers live travel agent and customer support assistance seven days a week. For more information, or to easily shop for a day pass option by cruise itinerary, visit the newly redesigned website at www.ResortforaDay.com.

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Annual survey includes the largest, most successful retailers in the industry

Wakefield, Mass. (June 27, 2024) – Industry powerhouse World Travel Holdings announces it ranked #16 in Travel Weekly’s 2024 Power List of the industry’s top retail travel agencies. The Power List is an annual survey of the largest, most successful retailers in the industry, based on full-year 2023 sales.

“Being named to this list year after year is a true honor,” said Co-CEO for World Travel Holdings, Jeff Tolkin. “It is a testament to every single person who works with our company – our employees, suppliers, our villa travel advisor partners and all our customers including our Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchise owners and their associates, partner brands and those who book their vacations directly with us. My brother Brad and I thank each person who plays a role in our company’s success.”

Privately held World Travel Holdings, owned by Co-Chairmen/Co-CEOs Brad and Jeff Tolkin, operates 19 travel brands which includes three in the United Kingdom and a top-rated travel agency franchise. Its Dream Vacations franchise provides owners live and virtual training opportunities, robust marketing assets, a dedicated Business Development Manager, support services and more. Each year, the franchisor fully funds $4 million in exclusive promotions, national branding, and marketing programs to help its network of travel advisors grow their business.

It is also the cruise vertical for a vast portfolio of private-label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers, including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands and prominent corporations. Corporations outsource their cruise and villa verticals to World Travel Holdings due to its size, which maximizes buying power and value creation for their customers, its technology, which is purpose built to handle private label accounts, and its customer centric reservations and operations.

In 2023, some of the company’s noteworthy developments include:

• Its franchise brands, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne land sales eclipsed pre-pandemic numbers, ending 2023 up more than 100% compared with 2019 and 21% compared with 2022.
• Dream Vacations and CruiseOne also had record-breaking affinity group sales in 2023, which is attributed to the franchisor’s new groups application.
• World Travel Holdings launched a cruise vertical for Booking.com as its newest partner brand.
• Its signature villas brand, Villas of Distinction, doubled its on-site concierge staff in Italy and Jamaica.

The Power List has been tracking the sales of travel agency organizations for more than 30 years, and this year’s survey reflected the rebound of travel that followed the pandemic. To qualify for the 2024 Power List, a company had to record a minimum of $110 million in travel sales in 2023, a change from previous years when only $100 million was required. For purposes of the survey, sales are defined as gross sales of travel products worldwide, whether to consumers or to corporate travelers and the company must be the agent of record on the transactions from a supplier’s perspective. At least 15% of the sales volume must have been generated in the U.S.

For a complete list visit https://www.travelweekly.com/Power-List-2024.

About World Travel Holdings
World Travel Holdings is the nation’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of nearly 40 diverse brands. In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises, villas, resort vacations, car rentals, resort day passes and luxury travel services, World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of private-label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers, including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands and prominent corporations. The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in employee engagement and work-at-home employment. Its global presence includes operating multiple cruise brands in the United Kingdom. World Travel Holdings has offices in Wakefield, Mass.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Chorley, England. For more information, visit WorldTravelHoldings.com.

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The new website’s enhanced design and features streamlines the vacation planning experience 

Wakefield, Mass. (June 5, 2024) – Jamaica Villas announces that it launched a complete redesign of its website — JamaicaVillas.com. In celebration of the launch, it is offering guests an exclusive, “Free Driver” promotion for the entire villa stay.

Guests who make a new booking with Jamaica Villas between now and June 30, 2024, for travel by December 31, 2025, will receive a free driver from arrival to departure. Travelers will experience the luxury of a complimentary and experienced personal driver in a 10-seater van that will guide guests to the hidden gems and iconic sights of the beautiful island of Jamaica.

In addition, the refreshed JamaicaVillas.com website boasts a new laid-back luxury design that showcases vibrant imagery of breathtaking destinations and exquisite villa properties, putting visitors in a vacation state of mind from the start. Enhanced search capabilities allow guests to easily browse options based on destination, travel dates, number of guests, and specific amenities or villa collections like sports, lifestyle, and events. This streamlined search function makes vacation planning simple and enjoyable.

“We’re excited to share our new website, designed to capture the essence of Jamaica’s island charm while showcasing the beauty of our luxury villa rentals,” said Nicky Farquharson, guest arrival concierge manager for Jamaica Villas. “Our goal was to create an engaging online experience for our guests, featuring user-friendly navigation and stunning imagery. By listening to feedback from our valued guests, we’ve developed a platform that streamlines the vacation planning process and offers personalized recommendations. We can’t wait for everyone to explore and enjoy the new site and its many features.”

The enhanced villa pages now offer interactive calendars showing rates and availability, alongside maps highlighting nearby attractions and activities. This provides guests with a comprehensive view of each villa and its surrounding area, helping them plan the perfect vacation.

Jamaica Villas specialists and personal concierges are available to assist guests in booking and customizing their dream vacation from start to finish. To explore the updated website and book your next getaway, visit JamaicaVillas.com or call 301-229-4300.

About Jamaica Villas
Founded in 1985, Jamaica Villas is synonymous with luxury villa rentals. What began as a project to renovate a home-away-from-home is now the leader in Jamaica villa vacations. Offering world-class fully staffed villas throughout Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Discovery Bay, and beyond, Jamaica Villas is known for creating premier, authentic, and immersive experiences for a wide range of guests. Moreover, Jamaica Villas sets a standard of excellence for Jamaica villa vacations, going above and beyond industry norms. From hands-on training with villa staff to impeccable locations, décor, and concierge services, Jamaica Villas gives guests the opportunity to live the island life and experience Jamaica. JamaicaVillas.com

 

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The homebased travel agency aims to raise awareness to ensure all guests can enjoy their destinations safely

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (June 04, 2024) – Dream Vacations/CruiseOne is celebrating Pride Month by launching an initiative to assist its network of travel advisors in reaching LGBTQ+ travelers. The spending power and habits of this community make it a very lucrative niche for travel advisors to serve. According to LGBT Capital, Global LGBTQ+ spending power is 4.6 trillion dollars with global LGBTQ+ international travel spending boasting an impressive 99.6 billion dollars.

Together with the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ travel expert, Ed Salvato and the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), Dream Vacations’/CruiseOne’s webinars will provide travel professionals guidance on how to authentically engage with and grow sustainable business with LGBTQ+ travelers.

The LGBTQ+ community faces unique travel challenges as acceptance, laws and protections vary widely around the world. It is of the utmost importance for travel advisors who serve clientele from this community to be educated in the best times to visit, events and tours available, and up-to-date insights on LGBTQ+ laws and protections in each country. Salvato’s webinar on reaching LGBTQ+ travelers focuses on safety and inclusion, challenging advisors to take a deep dive to confirm destinations will be truly welcoming for their clients. Salvato will also explore the important needs and concerns LGBTQ+ travelers may have along with providing the top friendly destinations and others where caution is necessary.

“With Pride Month, we felt it was the perfect time to offer these educational trainings and niche marketing assets to all of our franchisees who would like to deepen their understanding of and connection to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “Along with our parent company, World Travel Holdings, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne is proud to be a diversity-friendly organization. It is our goal to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to feel comfortable and supported.”

Franchise owners like Jeff and Jeri Leach from Nebraska, who pride themselves on helping everyone book their dream vacations, believe advisors should never leave any stone unturned when it comes to increasing their knowledge about the safety and wellbeing of their clients.

“We have helped several same-sex couples with destination wedding groups,” said Jeff Leach, a Dream Vacations franchise owner. “Just like doctors need to brush up on the latest medical practices or lawyers with legislation, travel advisors need education on so many different fronts to make sure we’re sending clients to safe and welcoming environments.”

In the first week of June, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne will co-host a webinar with the IGLTA to provide the network with free travel resources and information while working to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism worldwide.

Dream Vacations has been recognized for its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) including being ranked #32 overall by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Franchises for DEI and was recently named a 2024 Culture100 Franchise by Franchise Business Review.

Those passionate about travel with an entrepreneurial spirit who would like to be part of a travel agency network that cares more about its agents and travelers, should visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com to learn about franchising with Dream Vacations and CruiseOne.

About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^® 
A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne^® has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, a World Travel Holdings’ brand located in South Florida, is the only company to win 10 consecutive times since the award’s inception

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (May 14, 2024) – World Travel Holdings, the parent company of South Florida-based Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, a homebased travel agency franchise, has been awarded a 2024 Top Workplaces honor by the Sun Sentinel for a record-setting tenth year in a row (every year since the award’s inception). World Travel Holdings’ Dream Vacations/CruiseOne brands house the lion’s share of the division’s talented and experienced employees out of its Fort Lauderdale headquarters.

“The ten of us representing various departments and the leadership team at the award ceremony were so proud to accept this award on behalf of the entire World Travel Holdings and Dream Vacations/CruiseOne team,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of owned brands for World Travel Holdings. “To be the only company listed all ten years in this award’s history is an incredible accomplishment that speaks to the amazing culture and work environment we’ve grown and fostered in South Florida. This group passes on that care and professionalism every day to support our wonderful franchisees in following their American dreams of entrepreneurship.”

The South Florida office welcomes hundreds of new franchisees a year for in-depth and in-person orientation and business training. The employees that work in the B2B division include personnel with expertise in training and education, business development, information technology, operations, support services, marketing, and public relations. Earlier this year, the office hosted a celebration to commemorate Dream Vacations reaching and surpassing the 2,000-franchise milestone.

“Our diverse team members create an accepting and inclusive environment that encourages everyone to perform at a high-level and bring their A-game to the table,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “This is the key to creating an atmosphere and team dynamic that results in employee satisfaction and retention. Additionally, being part of a major player in the travel industry is a fun and rewarding lifestyle!”

The Sun Sentinel Top Workplaces list is solely based on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection.

“Earning a Top Workplaces is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard.”

The company’s tenth consecutive placement in the awards program reflects its commitment to fostering a positive work environment. To see the full list of winners, visit the Sun Sentinel Top Workplaces website.

To learn more about World Travel Holdings and its career opportunities, visit the company’s Careers page.

About World Travel Holdings
World Travel Holdings is the nation’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of nearly 40 diverse brands. In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises, villas, resort vacations, car rentals, resort day passes and luxury travel services, World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of private-label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers, including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands and prominent corporations. The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in employee engagement and work-at-home employment. Its global presence includes operating multiple cruise brands in the United Kingdom. World Travel Holdings has offices in Wakefield, Mass.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Chorley, England. For more information, visit WorldTravelHoldings.com.

About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^® 
A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne^® has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

About Energage
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 16 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

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In honor of its valued travel advisors, this exclusive offer will run for bookings made through June 1^st

Wakefield, Mass. (May 3, 2024) – Villas of Distinction_®, the world’s premier luxury villa rental company, is celebrating its partnership with travel advisors by offering a special one-of-a-kind  bonus commission. Advisors who book clients with Villas of Distinction from today through June 1, 2024, for travel between now and December 31, 2025, can earn a bonus commission of up to $5,000 payable upon deposit.

“Our travel advisor partners are the backbone of our success and their dedication to crafting exceptional experiences for our guests aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Steve Lassman, vice president of agency relations for Villas of Distinction. “We deeply value their expertise, passion and commitment to their clients. This bonus commission, paid sooner than anyone else in the industry, is our way of recognizing the invaluable role they play in our continued success.”

Villas of Distinction remains dedicated to enhancing advisors’ knowledge and skills through events such as “Wine Down Wednesday” and “Lunch and Learn” sessions. These programs have proven instrumental in helping advisors effectively market and sell luxury villa experiences. With Villas of Distinction, travel advisors have the support of dedicated Villa Specialists and Concierges who are ready to assist at every stage of planning the perfect villa vacation. Advisors can trust that every villa in the company’s portfolio meets the highest standards, as each property is personally inspected and approved by the team.

For more information about the travel advisor bonus commission and to explore resources, visit the Travel Advisor Marketing Resource Portal on VillasofDistinction.com or call 1-800-289-0900 to speak to a Villa Specialist.

About Villas of Distinction_®
Villas of Distinction®, as part of World Travel Holdings, is an award-winning, full-service villa experience creator with a portfolio of thousands of privately-owned villas in more than 52 destinations worldwide including the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Central America, and beyond. Many villas feature excellent staff and state-of-the-art amenities – like private pools, home theaters, in-villa game rooms, and fitness centers. The luxury villa provider has gained its guests’ trust by ensuring every villa meets strict standards so that each home exceeds expectations. Since 1989, the Villas of Distinction team has made vacation planning effortless by pairing travelers with their perfect vacation home and curating one-of-a-kind getaways at the world’s top villas. Travel Advisors have named Villas of Distinction the Gold winner for “Best Villa Rental Company Overall” in the annual Travvy Awards since 2015. www.villasofdistinction.com 

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Villas of Distinction has released its Q1 booking trends report, revealing a continued rise in consumer interest and demand for luxury villa rentals. These trends highlight significant increases in bookings in the Caribbean and Mexico, along with a preference for shorter stays and extended booking windows.

“Our findings highlight the sustained increase in demand for luxury villa vacations,” said Andy Kaye, general manager of Luxury Travel Holdings.”Travelers can enjoy the unmatched privacy, generous space, and personalized services of a villa vacation, making for an exceptional and unforgettable getaway.”

Travel in the Caribbean and Mexico has seen a notable uptick, trending over 30% higher year-over-year. This may be connected to increased interest in shorter stays, especially in the U.S. travel market. Luxury villas in sought-after destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico offer the perfect option for those seeking brief yet memorable getaways.

In addition, based on booking trends Villas of Distinction guests are booking further in advance, with reservations well into 2025. “I believe this is a result of industry trends starting to normalize,” said Kaye.

The AmaBella ventured a unique itinerary that brought the travel professionals to incredible sites along the Danube 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (April 23, 2024) – Dream Vacations/CruiseOne recently recognized its top-producing travel agency franchise owners, who are members of the homebased network’s prestigious “Circle of Excellence,” with a luxury experience aboard the AmaBella which cruised along the Danube River from Budapest to Romania.

“We wanted to reward these incredible entrepreneurs with an experience they’ll always cherish,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. “The chartered AmaWaterways cruise was the perfect avenue to celebrate their accomplishments while gaining insights they can take back to their client base.”

The cruise also toured the Balkans, including Golubac Fortress, Babaqui Rocks, Vukovar, and Belgard. Be extraordinary – together not only serves as AmaWaterways slogan but also the spirit of those on board. Throughout the week, the attendees spent time with each other reconnecting.

The Circle of Excellence reward trip provides top-selling agents not only with unique vacation experiences, but also the opportunity to network in an intimate environment with key suppliers from the travel industry, as well as members of the Dream Vacations/CruiseOne leadership team, including Co-CEO and Co-Chairman Brad Tolkin, Chief Operating Officer Debbie Fiorino, Senior Vice President and General Manager Drew Daly, Vice President of Operations Joelle Delva, Vice President of Marketing Alicia Linden, Vice President of Land Strategy and Network Performance Sean Tolkin, Vice President of Supplier Relations Josh Tolkin, Vice President of Information Technology Sandi Szalay, and Network Sales and Support Director Dawn Gillis.

“My favorite part of the Circle of Excellence trip was meeting with the supplier-partner executives onboard,” said Christy Scannell, franchise owner of Christy Scannell Dream Vacations in Lakeside, Calif. “It’s a real privilege to build relationships that not only enhance my business but my personal life as well. Traveling on a charter allowed everyone to relax. Whether it was an excursion, a meal or just cocktails, it was comforting to enjoy a conversation among like-minded colleagues.”

Dream Vacations also recently held its River Summit, which was a huge success, aboard AmaWaterways AmaSiena. Dream Vacations/CruiseOne advisors came together to learn more about what the river cruise experience is like while sailing roundtrip from Amsterdam. Other upcoming in-person learning events include Regional Trainings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Boston, Mass., and Nashville, Tenn. and the annual National Conference aboard the Celebrity Ascent.

Those passionate about travel with an entrepreneurial spirit who would like to be part of a travel agency network that cares more about its agents and travelers, should visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com to learn about franchising with Dream Vacations and CruiseOne.

About Dream Vacations and CruiseOne^® 
A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne^® has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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Dream Vacations honors female franchise owners with OPAL Award for leadership and community service 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (March 8, 2024) – Leading home-based travel agency Dream Vacations celebrates Women’s History Month in March by honoring a female travel advisor with the OPAL Award for Women. The company has named Dream Vacations Franchisee Amy Madson the 2024 recipient of this prestigious award.

The OPAL Award recognizes a female franchise owner who exemplifies Outstanding Performance And Leadership. The honorees are active in the community and civic organizations and demonstrate leadership within Dream Vacations.

“Amy is the embodiment of what it means to be a true leader and industry asset,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer for Dream Vacations. “She provides guidance, positivity, mentorship and creativity in every aspect of her business. She represents what it means to be an OPAL winner, and I am honored to present Amy with the 2024 OPAL Award.”

As a resident of Orlando, Fla., Madson has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry and is active within the Dream Vacations family. Madson & Associates is part of the illustrious Dream Vacations’ Circle of Excellence. These franchises make up the upper echelon of elite sellers of the Dream Vacations franchise network that includes more than 2000 franchises, representing the top 1-2% in sales.

Personally, and professionally, Madson is heavily involved in her community generously giving back and volunteering her time. She uses her network to help drive success with organizations such as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Central Florida Chapter, Make-A-Wish^®, Best Friends Animal Society, Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuaries and other Central Florida charities.

“I am truly honored to even have been nominated for the 2024 OPAL Award and to win is such a wonderful surprise,” said Madson. “I take pride in helping others become the best they can be in both business and in life, so being recognized for doing what I love is humbling. I want to take the opportunity to thank my peers for nominating me, headquarters for believing in me and the entire Dream Vacations family for their support.”

Dream Vacations is committed to being “Rich in Diversity” and empowers all owners, agents, and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent, experiences, personalities, viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth.

For more information on joining this award-winning agency, please visit www.dreamvacationsfranchise.com to learn more about owning a Dream Vacations travel franchise. 

About Dream Vacations
Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information about Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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